Pennsylvania eggs certified under a voluntary program meet some of the nation's highest safety standards, Agriculture Secretary Russell C. Redding said today.

Producers who participate in the state's Egg Quality Assurance Program adhere to management and monitoring practices designed to reduce the risk of Salmonella Enteritidis contamination of eggs, Mr. Redding said. His remarks came in response to a national outbreak of salmonella that has prompted three recall announcements -- involving millions of eggs produced at farms in Iowa -- in the past two weeks.

"With a nationwide egg recall raising renewed concerns about safety, I urge consumers to seek out eggs produced in Pennsylvania," said Mr. Redding. "By purchasing eggs produced under the Pennsylvania Egg Quality Assurance Program, consumers can be assured that the eggs meet high safety standards while supporting Pennsylvania farmers and the state's economy."

The program requires such procedures as cleaning and disinfecting between flocks, environmental monitoring of production facilities and maintaining an acceptable biosecurity program. Eggs must be refrigerated throughout production and distribution.

In place for more than 15 years as a successful preventive measure, Pennsylvania's program was the model upon which the federal Food and Drug Administration's new egg rule was based, Mr. Redding said. The rule, published in July, requires preventive measures during the production, storage and transportation of the nation's egg supply.

Shoppers should look for the "PA Preferred" logo of a gold checkmark in a blue keystone, Mr. Redding said. PA Preferred companies can be found at www.papreferred.com.

For more information about the Pennsylvania Egg Quality Assurance Program, visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us and search "PEQAP."

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